ELAINE JOHNSON Obituary

Elaine Adella (Ritter) Johnson, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, North Dakota, where she had been a resident since October 2021.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, June 28, at the Finley Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m., with visitation held one hour prior to the service. An informal gathering to remember and celebrate Elaine’s life will be held at the Luther Memorial Home Chapel in Mayville on Friday, June 27th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. This will be an open house-style visitation—come as you are, stay as long as you’d like. We’ll share memories and stories.

Elaine was born on September 4, 1938, in Venturia, North Dakota. She graduated from Enderlin High School in 1956 and from North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton in 1958.

Elaine married her husband, Gilman Johnson, on June 8th, 1968 in Trinity Lutheran Church, Enderlin. The couple shared a strong faith in God. Elaine and Gilman made their home in Finley, where they raised two daughters, Wendy and Amy. Elaine worked at Montgomery and Sons (Stockyard) in Fargo, then Central Livestock in Fargo, as well as the Finley Elevator. She worked at the Sheyenne Valley Electric Co-op/ Nodak Electric Co-op for 30 years.

Elaine loved life and embraced it with a full heart. She was blessed with the love of family, lifelong friends, and those who became like family. She found joy in traveling—especially a trip to Europe and countless visits to see her grandchildren. She loved baking, crafting, and sharing her passions with others. A devoted fan of sports and game shows, she cheered on her teams with enthusiasm and never missed an episode of Jeopardy! or Wheel of Fortune. An avid reader, she delighted in sharing good books and her love of reading with others.

Elaine was a strong and determined woman, known for her unwavering support and deep love for those around her. Wise and thoughtful, she was always ready with advice, spoken from experience and a genuine heart. Her pride in her family was evident in everything she did, and her love was steady and unconditional. She had a stubborn streak that only made her more admirable, standing firm in her values and beliefs. Above all, she was genuine, loving, loyal, and a constant presence of support and strength in the lives of those who knew her.

Elaine was a member of the Finley Lutheran Church, the Finley American Legion Auxiliary, the Sons of Norway in Mayville, the Valley City Eagles, and the VFW Auxiliary of Fargo.

Elaine is survived by her two daughters, Wendy (Jay) DeCann of Fargo and Amy (Scott) Mason of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; siblings, Duane (Donna) Ritter, Ardelle (Darrell) Tober, Carol Brockman, and Arthur Ritter; her beloved grandchildren, Shelby (Austin) Schauer, Josh (Hannah G.) DeCann, and Kyla and Cody Mason, many nieces and nephews, dear friends and family.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Gilman Johnson; parents, Adella and Arthur Ritter; and her sister, Ethel Sperr.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville and Hospice of the Red River Valley for their compassionate care and support. The staff at the nursing home became like a second family to Elaine, offering not only care but true companionship in her time as a resident.

The Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home in Finley / Cooperstown is assisting the family in arrangements.